Fishing Report for Week Ending February 14, 2016
SALTWATER
OVERVIEW – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week and most of the salmon are still on the small size. However, there were some larger salmon up to 20.8 lbs caught this past week, so not all the fish are small. Halibut fishing was SLOWER with the big tides.
For the latest details on recreational fishery openings and closures in your area: A) Call 1-866-431-FISH or 604-666-2828 (24-hour phone line); or B) Visit our web page http://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm to find applicable fishery notices; or C) Follow our sport fishing Twitter account https://twitter.com/sportfishingbc Visit our facebook page to see reports, news and videos by our guides and staff from their most recent trips.
SOOKE – The salmon fishing was GOOD for winter springs this past week. There are lots of small 2-5 lb springs off Sooke right now but not too many larger fish. It’s been good around the 140 foot contour. The 3”-4” Coyote, Gypsy and G-Force spoons, as well as hoochies, are the top choices for Sooke anglers. G-Force spoons in Outfitters, Irish Cream and No Bananas have been very popular. Hoochies in White Glow, Army Truck and Tiger Prawn have been catching their fair number of fish. The most popular flashers recently have been the Purple Onion, the Gibbs Outfitter and the Lemon Lime.
BECHER BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD for anglers in East Sooke. The largest salmon of the week was a 20.8 lb spring caught near the Trap Shack by Bob Pearson. Most of the fish from that area have been a lot smaller than that one. Anglers were reporting lots of springs in the bay just out from the Cheanuh Marina breakwater. Anchovies in glow teaser heads have been very effective in luring the winter springs. Spoons, such as the G-Force and Skinny G, in Cop Car, Bon Chovy or Irish Cream colours were effective. For flashers, the Madi, Lemon Lime and Purple Onion have been good.
PEDDER BAY –Salmon fishing was GOOD, just like last week. There were lots of springs in the 3-5 lb range but larger fish are more scattered. The trolling pattern has been doing figure eights between the Deep Hole and the Can Buoy. The anglers are fishing close to the bottom and often bouncing the downrigger balls on the bottom, in 120-150 feet of water. There is still a lot of bait right inside the bay. Small spoons, such as the G-Force, Coyote and Gypsy, in the glow and/or any bright colours were very effective. Hootchies and squirts also produced well. Flashers that remain popular include Glow green, Lemon-Lime and Purple Onion. And you can’t go wrong fishing anchovies in a Bloody Nose teaser.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was SLOW over the weekend. Best areas were Race Rocks, William Head and Constance Bank. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use Mudraker, Lucky or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
VICTORIA – Fishing for salmon was GOOD off Victoria. The fish were plentiful near Albert Head (on the pinnacles) and near Esquimalt, but were not very large. Constance Bank has been good and Brotchie Ledge to Ross Bay has also produced some fish. The Esquimalt Anglers held an informal salmon derby on the weekend and Gary Bromley won it with an 11.4 lb spring. It just edged an 11.1 lb spring to take the top prize. Spoons and squirts were successful in getting hook ups. Bloody Nose and Purple Haze have been the most popular colors for teaser heads. Good choices in plastic baits are the Electric Chair, Purple Haze and White Glow. Coho Killers, AP Needlefish, G Force and Coyote spoons in Green Splatterback, Moon Glow and Cop Car colours have also been good. The Purple Onion, Lemon Lime and Madi.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was GOOD over the weekend. There were quite a few halibut taken at Constance Bank on the weekend. Wayne Boyd brought in a 132 cm, 68.4 lb halibut to take the first place on our Halibut Leader Board. Alexander Janssen brought in a nice 131 cm, 58.5 lb halibut for second place. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use Mudraker, Lucky or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
OAK BAY – Salmon fishing was GOOD this past week. The Flats have been holding some nice fish recently for those trolling close to the bottom. Good lures have been Green Splatterback Coho Killers, Skinny G spoons and APT Needlefish spoons.
HALIBUT – Halibut fishing was FAIR over the weekend. Tara Bardal caught a 62.6 lb halibut on salmon using salmon belly. Good areas were Haro Strait and Discover Island. Anglers that were fishing were using extra large herring, salmon bellies and/or octopus for bait. Berkley Gulp and Powerbait soft plastics also work very well. You can also use Mudraker, Lucky or other large Jigs if you want to stay away from the dogfish.
SIDNEY- Salmon fishing was FAIR near Sidney. There were three 14 lb springs landed this past week. Coal Island and Sidney Spit produced the fish. The majority of the winter springs caught recently have been short of the minimum size for retention and most areas have some fish. Most anglers are fishing using anchovies in Bloody Nose and UV Green teaser heads. Coho Killer spoons have also been working well, especially in double glow and Gold Nugget.
Notable Catches – The largest salmon of the week was a 20.8 lb spring caught near the Trap Shack by Bob Pearson. The Esquimalt Anglers held an informal salmon derby on the weekend and Gary Bromley won it with an 11.4 lb spring. Tara Bardal caught a 62.6 lb halibut on salmon belly.
Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FRESHWATER
OVERVIEW – Fishing is FAIR in most lakes. Wild rainbows and cutthroats over 50 cm must be released in Cowichan Lake, where the fishing has been good for these large trout. Steelheading has been good in most Island rivers.
COWICHAN RIVER – The River is high and running hard. The water level at the lake today was just over 2.04 meters and at 1.76 meters near Duncan. Although, it’s dirty and brown, anglers have been catching both steelhead and brown trout in the Riverbottom area, mostly from drift boats. For steelhead, good lures to fish are Spin ‘n Glo’s, Beads and yarn, Gooey Bobs and the always reliable Pink Worm. Spoons can also be a great lure in these conditions. Fly fishing for brown trout at the top end of the river has been good.
TROUT – Trout fishing was FAIR on most lakes in the South Island area this past week. Cowichan Lake has produced some large cutthroat trout for those trolling 3” plugs, but that is strictly a catch and release fishery for large trout. Takin Marvasti went fishing on Monday at lda Anne Lake in Langford and caught a 20”, 3 pound 5 oz female rainbow trout on Powerbait.
Bank anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms while fishing from shore and close to the bottom. Orange Garlic and Pink Garlic have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are fishing Pumpkinheads, Wooly Buggers, Leeches and Micro Leech patterns on full sink fly lines. Trollers are catching trout with Gibbs Gang Trolls and Gibbs Wedding Bands. Other good trolling lures are the Apex Trout Killers in rainbow, green or black and white patterns. Flatfish and/or Kwikfish have also been effective in sizes 5 to 7 in Frog, Black with Silver Flake or Rainbow Pattern.
BASS - Bass fishing is VERY SLOW. Fishing drop shot style is your best bet now. Soft plastics rigged “Carolina Style “are also a good choice when fishing the bottom, drop offs and reefs, and have been most productive in 4” Smoke or Pumpkinseed Yum baits. Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver Lakes are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary’s Lake on Salt Spring Island is also a great lake for bass fishing.
Notable Catches – Takin Marvasti went fishing on Monday at lda Anne Lake in Langford and caught a 20”, 3 pound 5 oz female rainbow trout on Powerbait.
Please send photos (in jpeg format) and descriptions of your notable catch to our email info@fishingvictoria.com
FISH TIP OF THE WEEK
Check you halibut gear! The season just opened for the year so it’s the perfect time to inspect your rods, reels, line and lures and get ready for the new season. Replace worn rod guides, frayed lines, fix and/or oil up the reels and replace any leaders with nicks or scratches. And don’t forget sharpening those hooks!
2016 Island Outfitters Leader Boards
Salmon
We are now waiting for the first salmon of the year to be weighed in at the store. So, bring your next big salmon in for the contest!
Halibut
1) 68.4 lbs – Wayne Boyd – Constance Bank - February 7th
2) 62.6 lbs – Tara Bardal – Oak Bay – Salmon Belly – February 11th
3) 58.5 lbs – Alexander Janssen – Salmon Head - Constance Bank - February 7th
Trout
We are now waiting for the first trout of the year to be weighed in at the store. So, bring your next big trout in for the contest!
Island Outfitters starts and ends the year with the free for fun and prizes Salmon, Trout and Halibut Leader Boards. Simply weigh your catch in at Island Outfitters and the top five fish in each category on December 31st wins a special prize.
See our event pages for details on upcoming events and like us on facebook!